Colchester Castle Summer Series brings huge run of concerts to the city

Colchester Castle Summer Series is coming to the iconic historic site in 2025, welcoming up to 10,000 fans to each of their epic nights of Music. With such stunning surroundings, lineups as legendary as the castle itself, and top promoters Soundcrash and Supermodified (Margate Summer Series and Cardiff Bay Series) behind it, it’s going to be the biggest music event Colchester has seen in years.

The artists set to play the bill include pop-punk legends Busted, returning to their home county of Essex for their first show there in six years; R&B icon Craig David, bringing his TS5 show with him; UK reggae giants UB40 ft Ali Campbell; the Scottish rock giants, Texas; and an epic final show with James, who bring Happy Mondays and The Lighting Seeds with them. 

Tickets for each of the shows are now live, and you can find tickets and more information on each below. Plus, if you want to spread the cost of your tickets, then Payment plans are available for each show too!

 

This run of gigs looks set to light up the Colchester cultural calendar like never before. So scroll down, and find more information and dates on each of the nights of the Colchester Castle Summer Series and secure your tickets now!

 

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Busted

 

When: Friday 15th August 2025

Where: Colchester Castle in Colchester

Pop-punk legends Busted are back in Essex! Headlining the first night of the Colchester Castle Summer Series on Friday 15th August with fellow noughties icons Scouting For Girls in support. Bringing their run of 20th-anniversary celebrations and iconic tracks like Year 3000, Air Hostess, and Crashed The Wedding to the Castle, this one is going to be a nostalgia-fuelled dream.

Whether you’re reliving your teenage years or introducing the next generation to these legends, one thing’s for sure—this is going to be a night for the history books. Grab tickets or secure your payment plan below!

 

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Craig David

When: Saturday 16th August 2025

Where: Colchester Castle in Colchester

When it comes to party starting and getting the masses moving, few do it like Craig David and his TS5 shows. The show has traversed the globe, playing everywhere from Ibiza to Glastonbury, Australia to the US, Japan to Dubai. Now, he brings it to the historic surrounds of Colchester Castle, with an epic supporting cast that includes Wes Nelson, 24hr Garage Girls, and Patrick Nazemi.

If you love being locked into a boogie, then the Colchester Castle Summer Series date for you is Craig David. Grab tickets or secure your payment plan below!

 

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UB40 featuring Ali Campbell

 

When: Sunday 17th August 2025

Where: Colchester Castle in Colchester

Are there any more iconic UK reggae exports than UB40? Ali Campbell and Co. dominated the 80s, transcending their Brummie working-class roots to become one of the most successful Reggae bands of all time. And this show at Colchester Castle, where they bring an illustrious support that includes Pato Banton, Bitty McLean, and Trojan Sound System, looks set to be a truly special one. 

Whether you're partial to some Red Red Wine or prefer riding the waves of Kingston Town, grab tickets or secure your payment plan below now!

 

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Texas

 

When: Thursday 21st August 2025

Where: Colchester Castle in Colchester

Say what you want, Glaswegian rock exports Texas are a band that have truly endured, creating countless hit singles in the process. With Sharleen Spiteri's powerhouse vocals and distinctive melodies from Johnny McElhone and co, Texas are a band like few others, and this show at Colchester Castle will be a guaranteed delight.

As of yet unannounced special guests will be joining them for this one, but even without them, this is a gig bound to give you an inner smile. Grab tickets or secure your payment plan below now!

 

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James

When: Friday 22nd August 2025

Where: Colchester Castle in Colchester

Mancunian exports James are one of the true indie greats. Throughout the 90s the band produced banger after banger and whether you preferred sitting down or getting away with it, Tim Booth and the boys sure know how to put on a show. This night at Colchester Castle sees James bring a flavour of Manchester with them with the Happy Mondays supporting, as well as a further supporting cast of greats like The Lighting Seeds and The Waeve (Graham Coxon of Blur and Elinor Dougall of The Pipettes new project). 

This send-off for 2025's Colchester Castle Summer Series may just be the best of the lot. Grab tickets or secure your payment plan below now!

 

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Madness

When: Saturday 23rd August 2025

Where: Colchester Castle in Colchester

Since their emergence in the late 70s, Madness went on to become one of the bands of their generation, with their debut album One Step Beyond becoming a true classic of its genre. With a sound that expanded out from its Ska roots to cover everything from Motown to Pop, this ragtag group of cheeky misfits have captivated audiences worldwide, and this pilgrimage to Colchester Castle is not one for any fans to miss. 

So get your baggy trousers on and enter the house of fun as Madness headline Colchester Castle Summer Series. Tickets and payment plans below!

 

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Check out our What's On Guide to discover even more rowdy raves and sweaty gigs taking place over the coming weeks and months. For festivals, lifestyle events and more, head on over to our Things To Do page or be inspired by the event selections on our Inspire Me page.